The first XLR microphone from Fifine that I’ve ever reviewed uh this is the Fifine K688. If is a high-end-looking microphone, it costs 70 to 75 dollars, sometimes even 80 dollars depending on the sale, but that’s the price range. It is very similar to the Fifine K658.
In has a removable windscreen on top that is super nice. I like the material it’s fuzzy. What’s special about this microphone and can connect via XLR.
This is the first microphone that Fifine has made for content creators that have XLR but you can also use it via USB so it has XLR ability and USB ability to connect to your pc. So if you have an audio system or a mixer or something you can connect XLR. But if you don’t want to use any of that you can connect the normal USB.
Today we are reviewing the Fifine K688 USB/XLR Microphone, all thanks to Fifine, they gave us a chance to test and review this amazing XLR microphone and share their opinion with our viewers. So let’s start the review.
What’s in the box?
- Microphone with a shock mount (anti-shock)
- USB-C to USB-A 2.5M cable
- 5/8″ male to 3/8″ female adapter
- User manual guide
Design
The Fifine K688 microphone is a pleasant surprise. This is the first device from Fifine that I’ve reviewed, but the brand is very famous on the internet, with extremely popular models on social media. The most famous are desktop models, with RGB lights and that comes with a friendly face drawn in the pop-filter. However, the K688 is a very different model, being focused on a professional experience.
The K688 also comes with a gray protective foam that makes it even more beautiful in the video, being a setup that really adds to the videos and lives. The audio is clean and impressive, really able to reduce external noise. Unlike other microphones, the K688’s cardioid pattern picks up sound coming from the top of the device, so you should set it up so that it faces you, with the “tip” of the microphone facing you.
Other positive points of the K688 are the native mute button, which is on one side of the microphone, and the headphone jack. The mute button is a little tricky to get right, as you need to tap exactly on the illuminated drawing, which can be a little tricky depending on the situation. However, it works very well and is via touch, which avoids noise when changing the transmission.
The native headphone input and the volume control knob also help, as you can monitor the gain in real-time, configuring the functionalities directly on the microphone.
XLR Input
Despite having an XLR input, the model does not come with a cable and does not even have its own support. Therefore, if you intend to purchase this model to use it with an XLR input, you will need to purchase the cable separately.
Tripod Arm
The same goes for the tripod, tabletop, and articulated arm, which need to be purchased separately. But Fifine sends me the tripod arm with K688 that can apply on any desk and use freely.
Even though it doesn’t come with a tripod or arm, the K688 comes with its own shock mount and an adapter for an articulated arm. That way, if you have a 5/8 size arm or a tripod with a 3/8 socket, it will be compatible with both models.
3.5mm Headphone Jack
Fifine K688 has a headphone jack because many times you connect a microphone, and the computer doesn’t find it automatically or captures the sound at a volume much lower than expected. By testing the headset you can find out if your audio is ok and deliver the best possible audio experience to your audience.
Mute Button
It could have been good or bad, but things have changed with the LED indicator and monitoring socket. You won’t find yourself without recording anything halfway through.
Why XLR?
Ever become addicted to all-in-one USB mics, but eyeing an XLR mic to up your game every now and then? Why not have both? Change the connection to XLR when you’re gearing up for something big.
Using the mic with a solid preamp system will potentially polish the sound quality and even give the audio a slightly different coloration, which is something of a redeeming feature to make up for the lack of software. The best-known fact is that the self-noise level will become much less noticeable with a balanced XLR connector.
Sound Quality
To get the cleanest audio, you just need to pay a little more attention to off-axis placement.
With the sibilance resolved, you and your audience can put your heart and ears into enjoying the bright, airy sound on top and even a few sparkles.
Streaming and voiceover aside, if you’re planning on recording a cover song in your untreated living room, it’s still perfectly fine for the price.
Verdict
When I tested the K688, one thing I quite liked is that this mic has a 3.5mm monitor port that allows you to hear your own voice when speaking, which is very convenient, but the port is quite tight so when you plug it in, it will be a bit difficult to remove it.
Fifine K688 gives you a detailed sound with a warm bias that is suitable for those who like to do podcasts, tell stories or talk in a gentle chill style. Of course, this also means that it will is not suitable for those who specialize in singing or mixing music because she brings less excitement and will favor the warm direction.
This one is quite good and does not make a lot of sound despite strong impacts ensuring you a good recording session without worrying about the interruption. Another point the K688 mentions is that the recorder seems to be placed on top because during use, I find that this mic will emit the loudest sound only when speaking from the top. This can be seen as a drawback for those of you who have the habit of holding the mic horizontally when speaking.
As I said above, this Fifine K688 has a pretty small recording range just around the mic head, so placing the mic is quite important when using this mic, but in return, it will ensure the best sound quality for you.
I tried reading a book and it recorded quite clearly all my sounds including my breathing so it can be said that she recorded quite accurately. However, this also has two main sides, that those who are not used to adjusting the breathing voice may affect the sound quality because this child is quite poor at filtering.
You can currently buy it on AliExpress at Just $71.49 on the 12.12 sale. You can also check it out on the official website.